Houthis Declare U.S. Ceasefire a Failure, Confirm Military Commitment to Gaza

President Donald Trump announced a halt to U.S. airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels after the group committed to ceasing attacks on maritime routes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, a move confirmed by Omani mediation. Trump characterized the development as a victory and expressed trust in the Houthis' promise to stop targeting ships, leading to the end of what he called 'Operation Rough Rider.' While the ceasefire ensures freedom of navigation in key waterways and marks a shift in U.S. military strategy, Houthi leaders clarified that their support for Gaza and military actions against Israel would continue. Analysts noted that the Trump administration’s diplomatic approach, particularly tying Houthi aggression to Iran, played a significant role in achieving the ceasefire. Despite the agreement, experts caution that the truce’s durability is uncertain, as past Houthi behavior and ongoing regional tensions persist. The ceasefire reflects both a strategic recalibration by the U.S. and ongoing complexities in the broader Middle East conflict.